John Hufnagel
Encyclopedia
John Coleman Hufnagel (born September 13, 1951, in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania
) is a Canadian football
coach and former pro quarterback
. He is currently the head coach of the Calgary Stampeders
of the Canadian Football League
. Prior to his hiring to the Stampeders on December 3, 2007, he was most recently the offensive coordinator
of the New York Giants
of the National Football League
from 2004 until December 26, 2006.
n at Penn State University in 1972, where he was the starting quarterback for three seasons (1970–1972), earning a 26–3 record. As a junior, he was instrumental in the Nittany Lions' 30–6 Cotton Bowl Classic victory over the University of Texas and played in a 14–0 loss to the University of Oklahoma
in the 1973 Sugar Bowl
as a senior. In 1972, Hufnagel became the first Nittany Lion quarterback to pass for more than 2,000 in a season. His 2,039 passing yards set Penn State’s single-season record for passing yards (since broken) and he remains among the top 10 in most major career passing categories. He finished sixth in the Heisman Trophy
voting that year.
Hufnagel was the 14th-round draft choice of the Denver Broncos
in the 1973 NFL Draft
. There he would play for three seasons before beginning a 12-year career in the Canadian Football League with the Calgary Stampeders (1976–1979), the Saskatchewan Roughriders
(1980–1983 and 1987), and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers
(1984–1986).
for the Canadian Football League
's Saskatchewan Roughriders
in 1987. From 1990–1996 Hufnagel was the offensive coordinator
for the Calgary Stampeders
, where he helped future Pro Bowl
ers Doug Flutie
and Jeff Garcia
earn All-CFL honors. In 1997, Hufnagel became head coach
and general manager
of the Arena Football League’s New Jersey Red Dogs. In two seasons there, he posted a 17–11 record.
After two seasons (1999, 2000) as the quarterbacks coach for the Cleveland Browns
, Hufnagel was named the quarterbacks coach of the Indianapolis Colts
, where he coached Peyton Manning
to a 62.7 percent completion percentage and for 4,131 yards passing. He spent the 2002 season as the quarterbacks coach on Tom Coughlin
’s staff in Jacksonville
. That year, quarterback Mark Brunell
threw only seven interceptions
in 416 pass attempts, and an 85.7 quarterback rating
. He spent the 2003 season with the Super Bowl
champion New England Patriots
. Under Hufnagel’s tutelage, Tom Brady
earned a second Super Bowl MVP
award, completing 60.2 percent of his passes for 3,620 yards and 23 touchdowns.
Hufnagel became the offensive coordinator of the New York Giants in 2004, and molded them into NFL’s most potent offenses. Tiki Barber
set a franchise rushing record two years in a row, and the Giants became only the fifth team in NFL history to have five different players score at least seven touchdowns. (Tiki Barber, Jeremy Shockey
, Plaxico Burress
, Amani Toomer
and Brandon Jacobs
). While Hufnagel is credited with the rapid development of quarterback Eli Manning
, he is sometimes criticized for his often predictable playcalling and an inabiltiy to utilize his offensive playmakers effectively.
During the 2006 season, Hufnagel came under much criticism for being too pass-happy and abandoning the running game after the Giants trailed during games. In addition, he was also questioned for having Manning throw the ball the third and sixth most passes in the league over 2005 and 2006 despite Tiki Barber clearly being the best player on offense. In addition, his situational playcalling came under scrutiny, such as when running back Brandon Jacobs was removed from the game inside the five yardline in two games, thus making the offense more predictable to opposing defenses.
Following a 30–7 defeat by the New Orleans Saints, Hufnagel was stripped of his duties as offensive coordinator. A week later, it was revealed he was fired.
On December 3, 2007, Hufnagel was hired as the head coach and general manager of the Calgary Stampeders. He led the Stampeders to the Grey Cup title with a 22–14 victory over the Montreal Alouettes on November 23, 2008. For his performance in the 2008 CFL season
, he was awarded the Annis Stukus Trophy
as the CFL's coach of the year.
in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania
.
Coraopolis, Pennsylvania
Coraopolis is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, USA. The population was 5,677 at the 2010 census. In 1940 the population peaked at 11,086. It is a small community located to the west of Pittsburgh, along the Ohio River and to the east of the Pittsburgh International Airport...
) is a Canadian football
Canadian football
Canadian football is a form of gridiron football played exclusively in Canada in which two teams of 12 players each compete for territorial control of a field of play long and wide attempting to advance a pointed prolate spheroid ball into the opposing team's scoring area...
coach and former pro quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
. He is currently the head coach of the Calgary Stampeders
Calgary Stampeders
The Calgary Stampeders are a Canadian Football League team based in Calgary, Alberta and named in reference to the Calgary Stampede. The Stampeders play their home games at McMahon Stadium...
of the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
. Prior to his hiring to the Stampeders on December 3, 2007, he was most recently the offensive coordinator
Offensive coordinator
An offensive coordinator is a member of the coaching staff of a gridiron football team who is in charge of the offense. Generally, along with his defensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
of the New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
from 2004 until December 26, 2006.
Playing career
Hufnagel was named an All-AmericaAll-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
n at Penn State University in 1972, where he was the starting quarterback for three seasons (1970–1972), earning a 26–3 record. As a junior, he was instrumental in the Nittany Lions' 30–6 Cotton Bowl Classic victory over the University of Texas and played in a 14–0 loss to the University of Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its...
in the 1973 Sugar Bowl
Sugar Bowl
The Sugar Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game played in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Sugar Bowl has been played annually since January 1, 1935, and celebrated its 75th anniversary on January 2, 2009...
as a senior. In 1972, Hufnagel became the first Nittany Lion quarterback to pass for more than 2,000 in a season. His 2,039 passing yards set Penn State’s single-season record for passing yards (since broken) and he remains among the top 10 in most major career passing categories. He finished sixth in the Heisman Trophy
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
voting that year.
Hufnagel was the 14th-round draft choice of the Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the 1973 NFL Draft
1973 NFL Draft
The 1973 National Football League Draft was held on January 30–31, 1973.-Player selections:-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:-Round five:-Round six:-Round seven:-Round eight:-Round nine:-Round ten:...
. There he would play for three seasons before beginning a 12-year career in the Canadian Football League with the Calgary Stampeders (1976–1979), the Saskatchewan Roughriders
Saskatchewan Roughriders
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are a Canadian Football League team based in Regina, Saskatchewan. They were founded in 1910. They play their home games at 2940 10th Avenue in Regina, which has been the team's home base for its entire history, even prior to the construction of Mosaic Stadium at Taylor...
(1980–1983 and 1987), and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are a Canadian football team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They are currently members of the East Division of the Canadian Football League . They play their home games at Canad Inns Stadium, and plan to move to a new stadium for the 2012 season.The Blue Bombers were founded...
(1984–1986).
Coaching career
Hufnagel began his coaching career as a player-coachPlayer-coach
A player-coach, in sports, is a member of a sports team who simultaneously holds both playing and coaching duties. The term can be used to refer to both players who serve as head coaches, or as assistant coaches....
for the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
's Saskatchewan Roughriders
Saskatchewan Roughriders
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are a Canadian Football League team based in Regina, Saskatchewan. They were founded in 1910. They play their home games at 2940 10th Avenue in Regina, which has been the team's home base for its entire history, even prior to the construction of Mosaic Stadium at Taylor...
in 1987. From 1990–1996 Hufnagel was the offensive coordinator
Offensive coordinator
An offensive coordinator is a member of the coaching staff of a gridiron football team who is in charge of the offense. Generally, along with his defensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
for the Calgary Stampeders
Calgary Stampeders
The Calgary Stampeders are a Canadian Football League team based in Calgary, Alberta and named in reference to the Calgary Stampede. The Stampeders play their home games at McMahon Stadium...
, where he helped future Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
ers Doug Flutie
Doug Flutie
Douglas Richard "Doug" Flutie is a former American and Canadian football quarterback. Flutie played college football at Boston College, and played professionally in the National Football League, Canadian Football League, and United States Football League...
and Jeff Garcia
Jeff Garcia
Jeffrey Jason "Jeff" Garcia is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He played college football at San Jose State University....
earn All-CFL honors. In 1997, Hufnagel became head coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
and general manager
General manager
General manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:...
of the Arena Football League’s New Jersey Red Dogs. In two seasons there, he posted a 17–11 record.
After two seasons (1999, 2000) as the quarterbacks coach for the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Hufnagel was named the quarterbacks coach of the Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
, where he coached Peyton Manning
Peyton Manning
Peyton Williams Manning is an American football quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League . Manning holds the record for most NFL MVP awards with four. He was drafted by the Colts as the first overall pick in 1998 after a standout college football career with the...
to a 62.7 percent completion percentage and for 4,131 yards passing. He spent the 2002 season as the quarterbacks coach on Tom Coughlin
Tom Coughlin
Thomas Richard Coughlin is an American football coach who is currently head coach for the New York Giants of the National Football League . Coughlin has led the Giants to victory in Super Bowl XLII. Coughlin was also the inaugural head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, serving from 1995–2002 and...
’s staff in Jacksonville
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. That year, quarterback Mark Brunell
Mark Brunell
Mark Allen Brunell is an American football quarterback who currently plays for the New York Jets. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round of the 1993 NFL Draft. He played college football at Washington....
threw only seven interceptions
Interception (football)
An interception, intercept or pick is a move in many forms of football, including Canadian and American football, as well as rugby league, rugby union, Australian rules football and Gaelic football, which involves a pass, either by foot or hand, being caught by an opposition player, who usually...
in 416 pass attempts, and an 85.7 quarterback rating
Passer rating
Passer rating is a measure of the performance of quarterbacks or any other passers in American football and Canadian football. There are at least two formulae currently in use: one officially used by the National Football League and the Canadian Football League, and one used in college football...
. He spent the 2003 season with the Super Bowl
Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
champion New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
. Under Hufnagel’s tutelage, Tom Brady
Tom Brady
Thomas Edward Patrick "Tom" Brady, Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . After playing college football at Michigan, Brady was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft.He has played in four Super Bowls,...
earned a second Super Bowl MVP
Super Bowl MVP
The Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Award, or Super Bowl MVP, is an award presented annually to the most valuable player of the Super Bowl, the National Football League's championship game. The winner is chosen by a fan vote during the game and by a panel of 16 American football writers and...
award, completing 60.2 percent of his passes for 3,620 yards and 23 touchdowns.
Hufnagel became the offensive coordinator of the New York Giants in 2004, and molded them into NFL’s most potent offenses. Tiki Barber
Tiki Barber
Atiim Kiambu Hakeem-Ah "Tiki" Barber is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the second round of the 1997 NFL Draft. He played college football at Virginia....
set a franchise rushing record two years in a row, and the Giants became only the fifth team in NFL history to have five different players score at least seven touchdowns. (Tiki Barber, Jeremy Shockey
Jeremy Shockey
Jeremy Charles Shockey is an American football tight end for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Giants 14th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft...
, Plaxico Burress
Plaxico Burress
Plaxico Antonio Burress is an American football wide receiver who currently plays for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers eighth overall in the 2000 NFL Draft...
, Amani Toomer
Amani Toomer
Amani Toomer is a retired American football wide receiver who played in the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the second round of the 1996 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan, where he was a fan favorite.Toomer has also been a member of the Kansas...
and Brandon Jacobs
Brandon Jacobs
-New York Giants:Going into the 2006 season Jacobs stated that he studied film of famed power running back Eddie George in an effort to refine his running style. George, like Jacobs, was a large, power running back. In the 2006 season, Jacobs carried the ball 96 times for 423 yards and nine...
). While Hufnagel is credited with the rapid development of quarterback Eli Manning
Eli Manning
Eli Nelson Manning is an American football quarterback for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He is the younger brother of NFL quarterback Peyton Manning and the son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning...
, he is sometimes criticized for his often predictable playcalling and an inabiltiy to utilize his offensive playmakers effectively.
During the 2006 season, Hufnagel came under much criticism for being too pass-happy and abandoning the running game after the Giants trailed during games. In addition, he was also questioned for having Manning throw the ball the third and sixth most passes in the league over 2005 and 2006 despite Tiki Barber clearly being the best player on offense. In addition, his situational playcalling came under scrutiny, such as when running back Brandon Jacobs was removed from the game inside the five yardline in two games, thus making the offense more predictable to opposing defenses.
Following a 30–7 defeat by the New Orleans Saints, Hufnagel was stripped of his duties as offensive coordinator. A week later, it was revealed he was fired.
On December 3, 2007, Hufnagel was hired as the head coach and general manager of the Calgary Stampeders. He led the Stampeders to the Grey Cup title with a 22–14 victory over the Montreal Alouettes on November 23, 2008. For his performance in the 2008 CFL season
2008 CFL season
The 2008 CFL season was the 55th season of modern Canadian professional football. Officially, it was the 51st season for the league. It was also the first CFL season in which all of the league's regular season and post-season games, including the Grey Cup game, were aired on TSN. This meant the CFL...
, he was awarded the Annis Stukus Trophy
Annis Stukus Trophy
The Annis Stukus Trophy is a Canadian Football League trophy, which is presented annually by the Edmonton Eskimos Alumni Association to the Coach of the Year, as determined by the members of the Football Reporters of Canada...
as the CFL's coach of the year.
Personal
Hufnagel earned a Bachelor of Science in marketing from Penn State University in 1973. He and his wife, Penny, have two daughters and a son and live in Calgary and Jacksonville. He attended Montour High SchoolMontour High School
Montour High School is a public high school located at 223 Clever Road in Robinson Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. The only high school for the Montour School District, it serves the suburban towns of Kennedy and Robinson Townships, and the boroughs of Ingram, Pennsbury Village, and...
in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
.
CFL coaching record
| Team | |Regular Season | CGY 2008 Calgary Stampeders season The Calgary Stampeders finished 1st place in the Western division, won the West Final and played in the 96th Grey Cup in Montreal to face the Alouettes. The Stampeders won their 6th Grey Cup championship.-Transactions:... |
2008 2008 CFL season The 2008 CFL season was the 55th season of modern Canadian professional football. Officially, it was the 51st season for the league. It was also the first CFL season in which all of the league's regular season and post-season games, including the Grey Cup game, were aired on TSN. This meant the CFL... |
13 | 5 | 0 | .722 | 1st in West Division | 2 | 0 | Won Grey Cup 96th Grey Cup The 96th Grey Cup was held in Montreal, Quebec at Olympic Stadium on November 23, 2008. The Eastern Division Champion Montreal Alouettes hosted the Western Division Champion Calgary Stampeders. The Stampeders won the game 22-14, with quarterback Henry Burris winning the MVP award... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CGY 2009 Calgary Stampeders season The 2009 Calgary Stampeders season is the 52nd season for the team in the Canadian Football League and their 75th overall. The Stampeders attempted to repeat as Grey Cup champions.... |
2009 2009 CFL season The 2009 CFL season was the 56th season of modern professional Canadian football. Officially, it was the 52nd season of the Canadian Football League. The Montreal Alouettes won the 97th Grey Cup on November 29 with a last second 28–27 win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders... |
10 | 7 | 1 | .583 | 2nd in West Division | 1 | 1 | Lost West Final | ||
| CGY 2010 Calgary Stampeders season The 2010 Calgary Stampeders season was the 53rd season for the team in the Canadian Football League and their 76th overall. The Stampeders finished in 1st place in the West division with a 13–5 record... |
2010 2010 CFL season The 2010 CFL season is the 57th season of modern Canadian professional football. Officially, it is the 53rd season of the league. Edmonton is scheduled to host the 98th Grey Cup on November 28... |
13 | 5 | 0 | .722 | 1st in West Division | 0 | 1 | Lost West Final | ||
| CGY 2011 Calgary Stampeders season The 2011 Calgary Stampeders season was the 54th season for the team in the Canadian Football League and their 77th overall. The Stampeders finished in 3rd place in the West division with a 11–7 record and lost the West Semi-Final game to the Edmonton Eskimos.... |
2011 2011 CFL season The 2011 CFL season was the 58th season of modern Canadian professional football. Officially, it was the 54th season of the league. The complete schedule was released on February 18 and featured the defending Grey Cup champion Montreal Alouettes opening the season against the visiting BC Lions on... |
11 | 7 | 0 | .611 | 3rd in West Division | 0 | 1 | Lost West Semi-Final | ||
| Total | 47 | 24 | 1 | .660 | 2 West Division Championships |
3 | 3 | 1 Grey Cup | |||
External links
- John Hufnagel statistics, databasefootball.com
- John Hufnagel's bio, www.giants.com